The price of petrol has continued to rise across Nigeria, with the commodity selling for as much as N1,500 per litre in several states.
The latest increase has been reported in Kano, Yobe, Sokoto, Borno, Taraba and Zamfara, while prices in other parts of the country have also risen sharply. In major cities, the Nigeria Labour Congress said petrol now sells for about N1,430 per litre, with higher prices recorded in some less accessible areas.
The development has increased pressure on motorists, commuters and businesses that depend on petrol for transportation and power generation. In Kano, for instance, tricycle operators have reportedly increased fares by about 50 per cent, while petrol in Yobe was selling between N1,500 and N1,520 per litre. In some parts of Taraba, prices reportedly reached N1,700 per litre.
The NLC has called on the Federal Government to introduce measures to cushion the impact of the rising fuel price. The union, led by Joe Ajaero, demanded reasonable wage awards for workers, increased crude oil supply to local refineries in naira and expanded petroleum storage capacity.
The union also argued that government intervention, including subsidies, should not be ruled out in an emergency. It said higher international crude prices were generating additional revenue for the government and called for part of the gains to be used to protect citizens from the rising cost of living.
Meanwhile, fuel marketers have warned that petrol could rise to N2,000 per litre if international crude oil prices continue to increase. The warning followed an increase in the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s petrol gantry price from N1,265 to N1,350 per litre effective September 12, 2026.
The refinery had previously reviewed its petrol price several times since August 21, taking the price from N1,165 to N1,185, then N1,200, N1,265 and now N1,350 per litre. The latest adjustment represents an overall increase of N185, or about 15.9 per cent, in 22 days.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria called for increased crude oil supply to domestic refineries and suggested that crude could be supplied to local refiners under arrangements that provide greater price stability. Its spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, also called for a review of some taxes and charges associated with petroleum distribution.
The NLC has separately raised concerns about the growing influence of the Dangote refinery in the domestic market and called for greater competition through the revival of government owned refineries. The union said increasing the number of local refining sources could help reduce market concentration and provide more options for consumers.
The latest increase comes amid Nigeria’s deregulated downstream petroleum market following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023. Under the current system, domestic fuel prices are more directly affected by international crude oil prices, foreign exchange movements, logistics and other market costs.
